Today I have driven back from the flatlands of Linconshire to the peaks of Derbyshire.
Yet again a twenty mile detour was in order to collect my first lot of processed film in fifteen years. I walked into the shop and nobody rolled around on the floor so I took this as a good sign. Last weekend I ran twelve frames through the Bronica. The first was a bit iffy as I took a picture of a seat in the van…..I pressed the button by mistake. I can still see it’s a camper seat though. I was only looking for high contrast images to test myself and the camera. I wasn’t interested in subject matter or composition.
Home.
The View from Home. I was so impressed with these two I forgot to pop a border on them. Like a dog with two tails I was.
A Dead Leaf not so good but it is in focus. I was getting used to two inches of mirror clattering up with a noise fit to wake the dead. At least this mirror and shutter have to be cocked manually, it’s quiet on the way back down. The shutter is flat out at 1/500s so set it to that. This leaf was wafting about so I just guessed aperture at f4. Not the worlds best picture of a leaf but a leaf it undoubtedly is. I was delighted to get anything recognisable.
I popped the Bronica on a tripod and took a picture of the waxing moon. I took ten minutes pondering settings and displayed my Muppetry. Nothing wrong with the camera; I suspect Ilford got this frame a bit overdosed before I bought it. I’m only kidding, film is very forgiving and can be worked on for prints. Non of these are keepers especially not this one, the moon is blown right out. Nothing to be done with blow out.
I was dreading walking into Harrison Cameras to whoops of derision. They aren’t that bad. If I get a good day I’ll take her down to Millers Dale Station and take pictures in the gloom of wonderful bridges and tunnel mouths. I’ve loaded the camera with Velvia 100 ASA reversal film so that will be a real test. Not for the machine but for me.
There has been much debate over Godwits. I’m going for Mr and Mrs Black Tailed. Mr is the one with the runny nose.
I’m not sure though……The legs look a centimetre too short.
It’s got a stripey back so it’s a Black Tailed. They are just Godwits. Blurry Godwits because I took their pictures. I’ll never make a birder.
Brent Geese.
I’ll keep dropping the odd bird into my posts. It seems a shame not to make the most of a brilliant day out.
Have a great weekend.
I like the first two very much! Maybe more than color. Something about a black and white picture - everything is sharp and stands out but doesn't fight for your attention. That really is a great pose of the Godwit in the last Godwit picture.
ReplyDeleteDavid, when I get confident there is something about film. I'll ask Jody while I'm here to pose against the light for a silhouette then double expose to fill her in with something that looks nice. I look at the film stock Harrison carry it must be popular or gaining popularity. I'm very pleased with this 50mm Seiko lens it is sharp and clean.
DeleteI was just happy to see a Godwit. or happy keith saw it and pointed me in the right direction.
Godwit are hard to photograph, being quite timid birds. You done well my son.
DeleteSorry Katherine, I didn't mean to forget you. These Godwit were as sociable as could be. There is no way you'd be seeing the pictures if they weren't.
DeleteThey are Black-tailed Adrian, and both of them were wonderful, I loved the black & white in there too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bob, I have loaded the camera with colour but it came with three backs so I'll load another B&W film. It's a good idea. I can then compare the two for exposure when I get them back.
DeleteI specially like the first two too. I miss black and white photography. I've never mastered it with digital and find have lost the knack with my old camera - maybe because I was used to processing film myself so my settings are idiosyncratic.
ReplyDeleteLucy, they were just me checking but i was pleased they came out at all. B&W with digital does work but not with Olympus or Cannon. A couple of folk do B&W sensors. Leica and Phase One I think but they are lottery win money. This Bronica was £250.00p with two lenses, three backs, three strobes and more filters than I can shake a stick at.
DeleteWith B&W it's easy with Velvia colour reversal film it is a challenge. It's sensitive to half a stop so if the sky is bright then grad filters are a must. if I ever get it right the results will be worth it. It's why Kodachrome took the market, it was easy but bland. the other colour film Agfa had stunning muted tones...I think. Agfa and kodak are no more and I believe Fuji have only started doing a range of Velvia recently.
These were shot on Ilford HP5 400 ASA. It was a bit quick for a sunny day. It's nice film though and one I can't remember using before.
DeleteWhere was the bloke in the VW campervan going? Flying with that roof up for sure!
ReplyDeleteSometimes some can get to hang up about identyfying birds and not enough time enjoying them. The two solo birds are Black Tail, the pair is bar tail at the back of the frame and blaktail at the front.
I agree Douglas but I spend hours trying to identify fungi. I suspect a healthy interest in stuff is fine.
DeleteI was gob smacked with the Plovers. I had never seen them do it before it was just like watching Starlings. like a murmaration. Brilliant it was.
The lady with the van has just departed. Mores the pity.
Adrian je hebt weer een mooie serie vogels de grutto,s hadden er ook wel zin in.
ReplyDeleteEen zeldzame vogel voor mij te vinden. Ik kijk voor vogels, maar ze tweede op mijn lijst.
DeleteI like all three of the birds.
ReplyDeleteWhat is your mobile home :)) there are two in the 1st photo?
Have a good night.
A hug.
Buenas noches Laura, ... Mina es en la que los perros se olvidó de cerrar la puerta
DeleteNot a bad start with Miss Bronica Adrian you'll soon have her answering to all your demands! It will be interesting to see the results from the Fuji reversal film. (If I remember correctly am I right in thinking that Fuji has/had a blue/green (cold) bias whereas Agfa was more towards red/yellow (warm)).
ReplyDeleteGreat shots of the Godwits, nothing wrong with them at all...[;o)
Trevor, my mind isn't what it was but yes. I can confirm that Agfa was warmer. I also remember and never will forget Kodak anything was to be avoided. Awful stuff, that's why it could only be processed by them.
DeleteVelvia I used to use for landscape and take reflective meters from green bits. I then used to drop a stop or push a stop. Godwit knows, I can't remember I'm about to find out. I have a light meter but it works on incidental light. I wander in front of the camera and point it at the camera and see what it says
I'm soft as a brush. I didn't have an exposure meter for these. f16...100 film and 1/100s used to work, or I think it did. Worked a treat this time or I think that's what I did.
The first contact I can remember having with Keith was his blue snow. Told the hairy bugger to get a light meter, shoot manual and stop moaning. I was a bit more constructive and said shoot Raw go to levels and pop the white eyedropper on a white bit, Solves blue snow but you do lose a great dump of information that the camera captured.
Beginners luck this time...next time a whole roll will be in the bin. The roll after next is all going to be double exposure images. Possibly in the bin as well. I just have to keep trying. It's a good if not great camera and the lenses are cheap and as good as I need. F9 they are sharpish front to back.
The contrast in the first two really is reward for your efforts.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Douglas that we sometimes (often) get hung up on identifying and just forget to enjoy them for whatever name they are called by.
Graham, they just process the film, and scan the negatives at 300dpi. Not a problem as it gives one the same diggerydoo as a contact sheet. I was happy with these as a guess. I'm amazed the mirror didn't cause problems in the last one as it was an 8s exposure. It goes up with one hell of a bang.
DeleteI'll suss the job.
We wandered about just enjoying clouds of geese and plovers and chatting. It's a bonus if you get a nice portrait of one......WHAT WAS THAT ONE, WHAT IS THIS ONE? A Godwit is a Godwit and beautiful no matter the DNA of a feather or two.
PS. I forgot to say that this camera has a little lever that allows me to re-cock the lens and shutter without rolling the film on. I will try a double exposure. The first a stop or more under to get the sky and the second to expose the black bits of the film with the scene at normal. Who said. " I'm not a fan of messing with images". For the life of me I wish I could remember.
DeleteI am so glad you are enjoying film again ~ 12 shots is very different from the dozens and dozens we take in digital. Only talking about this last night.
ReplyDeleteCarol, digital will still be my mainstay. I'll use the film for posh days. Yes it does make me think first.
DeleteI like the title of this blog post ~ I think I will adopt it instead of my usual OMG, now that I know what a godwit looks like ~ Holy Armadillo Batman.
DeleteI'm happy that yesterday or graduation day wasn't too traumatic. I hope you remembered your manners and shuffled back on your chair away from the table to chunder.
DeleteHi Adrian. you are having fun with your new equipment. love the Godwits.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, I'm very happy to have got a result.
DeleteI've just read Trevor's account of your meeting Adrian... sounds like you had a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteAndrew, a grand wander it was. It seemed much further than four miles though. I think a wheelbarrow may be worth consideration.
DeleteI'm sure the Bronica brings back old times. Those cameras were very hands on. You had to do some guessing. Experience went long way.
ReplyDeleteSuper bird pictures today.
Red, I never had anything quite so posh. I still guess with digital. You have to be a little careful with the reflective metering in digital cameras I tend to spot meter and usually shoot at -2/3rds EV
DeleteI love the images, I think you made a great choice. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteMaria, the choice was pretty much made for me. I'm happy I got an image at all. I will enjoy it.
DeleteBronica produced well ~ wonderful to see the B&W photos. Well, you must keep your Wits about you...oh, right...you are :)
ReplyDeleteGlo, I just hope it was not just beginners luck.
DeleteHello Adrian. :) I loved the black and white pictures. The leaf pic is brilliant.
ReplyDeleteRuby, thank you. It is great to here from you. I hope India is treating you kindly.
DeleteGood heavens, your mobile home is as big as a removals wagon! It must gobble up gas. The pair of godwits have made a super picture Adrian.
ReplyDeleteYP, it averages 22 miles per gallon. If I buy premium diesel then it costs twenty pounds per week.
DeleteThey are beautiful birds.
PS, Shell or BP premium is only more economical if the price difference stays under £00.06p a litre. Morrison's diesel is cheap but not a cost saver. It's much better than the crap I get from Scottish Fuels though.
DeleteThese are purely subjective observations. I'm more than prepared to take diesel from anyone who would like an in depth study and an unbiased report.
The range of grey scale and detail in the first shows what it can achieve.
ReplyDeleteFunny how the brain works, for me the fields in the 2nd appear a pale dull green, which cannot be. Will be interesting to see a similar shot with some fluffy clouds, but we may have to wait a good while for those conditions to return.
BTW I've got a 70D on order, should be here tomorrow.
John, 400ASA Ilford it is and it still got some sky bits. No Blow out, a bit on the shed but i was happy with the camera. Thursday this week looks good there may be a scattering of snow, What did I do with the grey card?
DeleteI look forward to seeing images from the 70D. Auto-focus and movies at the same time. It should be brilliant. I had that on the Olympus E-5 but the microphone picked up every tweet from the focus motors. I just deleted the sound track.
Have fun with it there is little to beat a new toy.